Certified pedorthists are footwear and orthotic experts trained to assess the function of the foot and lower limb. They specialize in designing, manufacturing and fitting custom footwear and orthotics.

They’re also compression fit experts and comfortable working with family doctors to find a treatment plan.

Pedorthists are experts

They know who you should see and when is important for foot care. Podiatrists and pedorthists are trained to care for your feet but have different roles.

Pedorthists focus on footwear and orthotics that prevent or improve painful or disabling conditions that originate in the lower extremities. They also provide follow-up care and coordinate services with medical professionals.

A Pedorthist Ottawa is abexpert in designing, fabricating, and modifying footwear to meet a patient’s unique mobility needs. They help to restore a patient’s ability to walk with comfort, ease and confidence by utilizing nonsurgical treatment methods that are proven effective. In addition to creating and modifying footwear, pedorthists also design and manufacture custom orthotics. This allows them to be the best foot care specialists in Canada.

Pedorthists are trained

A pedorthist has specialized training to modify footwear and employ supportive devices to address conditions that affect the lower extremities. Credentialed pedorthists are experts in footwear design and manufacture, foot orthotic fabrication, shoe construction and modification, gait analysis, lower extremity anatomy, biomechanics and patient/practice management.

They are also compression fit certified and have lower limb brace experience. They work with you and your physician to provide a comprehensive pediatric treatment plan.

A pedorthist will help to balance the lower extremities from the feet and ankles up to the knees and hips. This will allow your body to move more effectively and with less pain and discomfort. Pedorthists will offer many conservative or nonsurgical treatments based on the physician’s diagnosis and their assessment of the symptoms.

Pedorthists are covered by insurance.

Pedorthists have specialized knowledge in designing, manufacturing and fitting custom footwear and foot orthoses to help alleviate conditions due to disease, overuse, congenital disability or injury. They are also trained to make shoe modifications, such as shoe lifts.

Most health insurance plans cover pediatric services and products. However, checking with your health plan is important as coverage and benefits may vary.

Pedorthists and podiatrists are foot care professionals, but they have different roles in treating your feet. Podiatrists are medically and surgically qualified to treat your feet, while pedorthists are allied healthcare professionals who focus on footwear to help improve mobility and reduce pain. Depending on your condition, you should visit a podiatrist and a pedorthist.

Pedorthists are flexible

Pedorthics is a non-invasive, conservative approach to treating painful foot and ankle conditions. It consists of shoes, custom orthotics and orthopedic shoe modifications.

A pedorthist’s day-to-day tasks involve advising patients on selecting footwear and making and modifying footwear to help people maintain or regain mobility and reduce pain. They collaborate with doctors and other healthcare specialists to offer their patients the best course of therapy.

A pedorthist may work individually or for a pediatric business that runs shoe stores and orthotics labs, depending on the needs of their patients. They have the option of working full- or part-time. Thanks to this, they can select the hours that best suit their needs and way of life. In addition, pedorthists can design their orthotics on-site or have them made in a facility off-site.

Pedorthists are affordable

Your feet are one of the most complex structures in your body. They contain 26 bones, 33 joints and 107 ligaments and muscles. They are also part of the locomotor system, the group of techniques that allows you to move and live. With the right care, you can maintain your foot health and reduce your chances of developing problems with your lower limbs.

Pedorthists are experts in modifying footwear and employing supportive devices to treat conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. They can also perform a comprehensive assessment of your lower limbs, including gait analysis, to determine whether orthotics are required. Pedorthist services are affordable and may be covered by your insurance plan or private funding. Contact our clinic today to learn more about how we can help you.

The foot and ankle are a weight-bearing network of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Injury or damage to one of these structures can impact other areas and result in pain, swelling, and numbness.

Some issues are minor and easily treated at home, but others can keep you from leading an active lifestyle. Learn more about standard foot and ankle problems and how a specialist can help.

Ankle Sprains

Ligaments are rugged fibrous bands that connect bones in joints. An ankle twists or turns too far or is planted unevenly on a surface, which can stretch and tear the ligaments beyond their normal range. Most sprains are mild, but severe sprains can cause grapefruit-sized swelling and the inability to put weight on the injured ankle.

People with weak ankles or who participate in sports with sudden impact are more likely to sprain their ankles. In addition, certain activities, such as running or jumping, can increase the risk of injury.

A foot and ankle specialist like Surgical Associates can diagnose a sprain by examining the injured ankle and foot and manipulating the ankle in various ways. The doctor may also order an x-ray to determine the severity of the sprain and rule out a possible fracture (break). Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE) along with early physical therapy, are typically effective treatments for minor sprains.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone that usually occurs when you place too much pressure on your foot over time. These injuries typically develop in the feet of athletes who suddenly increase their exercise intensity, including training for longer distances or on uneven surfaces, and people with jobs that require repetitive activity.

The best way to treat a stress fracture is to rest, avoiding high-impact activities like running until the doctor says it’s safe to resume them. Your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen to help manage pain and may suggest that you use ice packs on and off the injury site for 15 minutes every three hours.

Your physical therapist can teach you foot and ankle strengthening exercises to prevent new injuries. They may also recommend muscle-strengthening and balance training to help reduce the risk of re-injury once you return to your regular exercise routine. If your fracture doesn’t heal well, a specialist might perform surgery to insert fasteners around the injured bones, like pins, screws, or plates.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is pain that starts from the bottom of the heel. It can be felt when you stand or walk for long periods. It is usually worse when you first get out of bed or after a long period of inactivity.

The harsh band of tissue that connects your heel to the bones at the ball of your foot becomes inflamed, which results in this ailment. It acts like a rubber band to create tension and support the arch of your foot. It is more common in runners or people with jobs requiring them to be on their feet for long periods. It can also be triggered by wearing unsupportive shoes or being overweight.

A specialist can help you with treatment. They will recommend icing, stretching, and over-the-counter pain medications. They may also suggest physical therapy or extracorporeal shock wave treatment, which uses ultrasound waves to stimulate healing.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is the tissue band connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. You use it when you walk, run, and jump. The tendon can become irritated and inflamed, causing pain in the back of your leg near your heel. The condition can be caused by a sudden increase in exercise or activity, wearing shoes that don’t fit well, or running up or down hills. You are also at risk if you have flat feet or are over 40.

A specialist can diagnose this problem by doing a physical exam. They will squeeze your calf muscle to see how much pain you feel and how flexible the ankle is. They may also order X-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help diagnose the problem. MRI uses radio waves and a solid magnet to produce detailed images of soft tissues like tendons. This can be useful in diagnosing the cause of your pain, as it shows how the tendons move when you’re active and inactive.